Determined Study - Week 5, Day 3: Luke 13:31-35

In this heartfelt episode, Heather delves into the essence of unwavering faith, sharing how it not only provides comfort during our darkest times but also fuels our determination to persevere. Inspired by Katie Couric's journey toward seeking a deeper spiritual connection and Paul's words on the God of all comfort, Heather explores Jesus' unyielding commitment to His mission, even in the face of life-threatening danger.

Scripture Reading:

Luke 13:31-35

Big Idea:

The central theme of today's discussion is the transformative power of empathy towards humanity. Heather illuminates how Jesus' sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection and His longing to protect His people serve as a profound example of steadfast love and commitment.

Devotional:

Heather reflects on the paradox of receiving bad news as a confirmation of walking in God's will. She contrasts our natural inclination to avoid trouble with Jesus' intentional journey towards His crucifixion—a path chosen out of a deep desire for reconciliation with humanity. Jesus' lament over Jerusalem reveals His compassionate heart, underscoring the importance of our own commitment to living like Him.

Compassion and Steadfastness:

• Embracing Compassion: An encouragement to adopt Jesus' perspective of compassion towards those who are lost or hurting, recognizing our own moments of denial and rejection of Him.
• Steadfast Mission: A call to remain committed to our Christian mission, motivated by obedience to God, a desire for global salvation, and a longing to comfort those in pain.
• Active Love: Challenges listeners to actively love and bring comfort to those in need, following Jesus' example of longing to gather humanity under His protective wing.

Questions to Ponder:

1. Reflect on times when you've felt like giving up. What motivated you to continue? How does Jesus' unwavering path inspire your own perseverance?
2. In what ways does Jesus' compassion in Luke 13 touch your heart? How can you emulate His compassionate stance in your own life?
3. Identify areas in the world, or within your immediate circle, that break your heart. Consider how you can introduce Christ's compassion to these situations.

Wrap-Up:

As we close, Heather invites listeners to join her in a prayer of commitment to bear Jesus' compassionate heart to the world. She reminds us that our mission to live like Jesus isn't just a call to personal transformation but an invitation to actively participate in healing a broken world.

Join us again tomorrow for Week 5, Day 4 of Determined: Living Like Jesus in Every Moment, as we continue to draw closer to Jesus, allowing His life and teachings to shape our every moment.

 

Final Bits:

• Purchase the workbook here (affiliate link) for our Spring Bible study of Determined: Living Like Jesus in Every Moment, a six-week study of Luke by Heather M. Dixon. Sign up here to receive content and reminders by email. 
• No Dusty Bibles Community: We're more than just a podcast; we're a community committed to keeping our Bibles open and active. Dive deeper into God's Word and connect with fellow believers who share your passion for Scripture.
• Weekly Email Sign-Up: Interested in getting more out of your Bible study? Sign up to receive our weekly email at No Dusty Bibles. Every Monday we’ll send you a weekly reading plan and extra resources to enhance your understanding of the Bible.
• The Rescued Letters Collective: Learn more about our broader mission at The Rescued Letters Collective. Visit this link for more information and to follow us on social media. Stay connected with us and be part of a movement that brings hope and healing through the power of God's Word.

 

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Thank you for joining us for this episode of the No Dusty Bibles Podcast. Remember, every page turned in the Bible is a step closer to understanding the heart of God. We're here to journey with you, one chapter at a time.

Portions of today’s episode are adapted from Determined: Living Like Jesus in Every Moment, by Heather M. Dixon, © 2019 by Abingdon Press, all rights reserved. 

In our daily readings, we are grateful to utilize the World English Bible (WEB) translation, a resource committed to making the words of Scripture accessible to all. The WEB is in the public domain, allowing it to be freely used and shared. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the contributors and supporters of the World English Bible for their dedication to making this valuable translation available to the public. Their work enables us to explore and share the Bible's teachings with everyone, furthering our mission to make the Bible accessible and available for every woman.